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The Academy of American Poets is the largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets. For over three generations, the Academy has connected millions of people to great poetry through programs such as National Poetry Month, the largest literary celebration in the world; Poets.org, the Academy’s popular website; American Poets, a biannual literary journal; and an annual series of poetry readings and special events. Since its founding, the Academy has awarded more money to poets than any other organization.

Revisionism

Grandpa shrugged when the feds at the kitchen door
said the pigpen weeds were marijuana,
and they were there to cut them down and burn them.
“Got lots more weeds—feel free to cut them, too.”
Marijuana was in the news a lot
when I first heard this story. Mom
and I laughed at her father’s innocence,
briefly united in patronizing parents.
Years later when she told it, she paused and added,
“But Dad did have terrible arthritis
in his hands, and I wouldn’t bet
he didn’t know what he had growing there.”
And suddenly I saw the wooden box
with the slotted roller in the top,
cigarette rolling machine, the knob we’d turn
to send a crayon down to the waiting tray.
Of course everybody rolled their own
in the Depression, nothing damning there.
But I felt history cough, twist in my hand,
watched my solid mother grow translucent,
capable of recasting legend, fact.
The last time I heard it, she concluded,
“And you know, I wouldn’t care to bet
it wasn’t my mother who called those agents in.”